Vehicle storage facility

ABSTRACT

A boat storage facility for storing sail and power boats ( 10 ) is shown. The storage facility includes a supporting structure in the form of a building ( 11 ). Within the building ( 11 ) are two fixed columns ( 17, 18 ) and two movable columns ( 20 ). One of the fixed columns ( 17 ) is located adjacent to one of the pair ( 14 ) of sidewalls of the building ( 11 ), while the second fixed column ( 18 ) is located adjacent to the other of the pair ( 14 ) of sidewalls. The two movable columns ( 20 ) are disposed between the two fixed columns ( 17, 18 ) and are horizontally movable in the direction of arrow (A) therebetween. Each movable column ( 20 ) includes a central, upwardly extending frame ( 21 ), while all columns ( 17, 18  &amp;  20 ), include a plurality of pairs ( 22 ) of laterally outwardly extending, substantially horizontal support arms ( 23 ) for supporting a boat ( 10 ). In an alternative embodiment, the storage facility does not have a building constructed therearound and the supporting structure can be in the form of substantially horizontal floor located at elevated from or recessed into adjacent surrounding ground by some distance. For example, this can include an asphalt or concrete pad or even a wharf or dock located adjacent a body of water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle storage facilities. The invention has been developed primarily for use as a vehicle storage facility and will be described hereinafter with reference to this purpose. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

[0002] For the purposes of this specification, the term “vehicle” includes any conveyance for transporting people and goods, etc, on land, sea, or through the air. For example, “vehicle” includes automobiles, automobile trailers, caravans, motor or wind powered boats, small aircraft and gliders, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] An example of a vehicle storage facility is a boat shed for dinghys and power or speed boats. Such boat sheds typically include a few rows of shelves contained in a secure building. Boat owners may store their boat in a predetermined space on a shelf when the boat is not in use. Such boat sheds are typically operated by sailing boat organisations.

[0004] Another example of a vehicle storage facility is car parking garage. Car parking garages in urban precincts typically include a plurality of floor levels interlinked by ramps, whereby a driver of a vehicle may direct their vehicle into a vacant car space on any given level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a first aspect the present invention provides a vehicle storage facility including:

[0006] a support means; and

[0007] a movable column having a plurality of storage bays for storage of a respective plurality of vehicles,

[0008] wherein the column is horizontally movable on or at the support means relative to an adjacent multiplicity of storage bays.

[0009] Advantageously, the storage facility enables storage of a plurality of vehicles in considerably less space when compared with the prior art storage facilities.

[0010] Preferably the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a fixed column.

[0011] Alternatively the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a second movable column.

[0012] Preferably the movable column storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows.

[0013] Preferably the fixed column storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows.

[0014] Preferably the storage facility includes wheels attached to a base of the movable column/s to allow the horizontal movement of the column/s.

[0015] Preferably a plurality of parallel rail tracks disposed on a floor of the support means, wherein each wheel is located on the base such that they are rollable upon a corresponding track.

[0016] Preferably the column includes a central, upwardly extending frame, and a plurality of pairs of laterally extending substantially horizontal support arms, wherein the pairs are disposed at regular intervals, and each bay includes one said pair. Preferably the disposition of each pair is adjustable.

[0017] In an alternative arrangement each storage bay includes a front access defined by a bay floor, a bay roof and adjacent bay walls disposed between the bay floor and bay roof. Preferably each storage bay is shaped as a rectangular prism. Preferably at least one bay includes a support guide on its bay floor for supporting a boat in an upright position, where the boat has a hull with a multi-planar shape. Also, preferably the support guide includes a pair of parallel guide rails.

[0018] In one embodiment the support means is a substantially horizontal floor located at or elevated from adjacent surrounding ground.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment the support means is a structure including sidewalls extending upwardly from a floor perimeter to define an open top and a roof upon the top, wherein at least one sidewall includes a door for access into the facility.

[0020] In a second aspect the present invention provides a method of storing a vehicle in a storage facility including the step of placing a vehicle into a first storage bay in the storage facility and thereafter moving the first or another storage bay to a position in which the vehicle is not accessible for retrieval until the first or the other storage bay is moved out of the position.

[0021] Preferably when in the position the first storage bay is in a close facing relationship with an adjacent storage bay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the storage facility according to the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the storage facility illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of the storage facility;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a column according to a present invention;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the storage facility illustrated in FIG. 3, with the roof removed;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a storage facility with its roof removed;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a column of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6; and

[0030]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of two columns of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a boat storage facility for storing sail and power boats 10. Typically such a facility can be located in the vicinity of a body of water where the stored boats 10 may be used. The size of the boats 10 which are stored in the storage facility are typically 4.5 metres to 10.5 metres in length, 1.5 metres to 4 metres in width and up to 4 metres in height. In the preferred embodiment, the storage facility includes a supporting structure in the form of a building 11. The building includes a floor 12, two pairs 14, 15 of opposing side walls projecting upwardly from the perimeter of the floor 12, and a roof 16. One wall of pair 15 includes a door for access to the inside of the building 11. The building generally provides weather protection for the stored boats 10 which is useful for long term storage during seasons when the boats are not in use.

[0032] Within the building 11 are two fixed columns 17, 18 and two movable columns 20. One of the fixed columns 17 is located adjacent to one of the pair 14 of sidewalls, while the second fixed column 18 is located adjacent to the other of the pair 14 of sidewalls. The two movable columns 20 are disposed between the two fixed columns 17, 18 and are horizontally movable in the direction of arrow A therebetween. Each movable column 20 includes a central, upwardly extending frame 21, while all columns 17, 18 & 20, include a plurality of pairs 22 of laterally outwardly extending, substantially horizontal support arms 23 for supporting a boat 10. In an alternative embodiment, a supporting floor panel can extend between the arms 23 of each pair 22, or in a further embodiment can protrude directly from the columns 17, 18, 20 without the need for any support arms 23.

[0033] The outwardly extending support arms on each of columns 17, 18, 20 are arranged in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows 25. Each pair 22 of support arms 23 form part of a storage bay in the form of a cell 24. As stated, one pair of the support arms 23 are configured to receive and support a boat 10 and act as the “floor” of a cell 24. The cell height is defined by the distance between the pair 22 of support arms 23 and a like pair of support arms which form the “floor” of the next uppermost storage cell 24 (or for cells located at the top of each column, by the distance to the roof 16).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, each boat is seated on a seat support 37 when received to rest on the pair 22 of arms 23 in a respective cell 24. However it is also possible to seat the boat 10 directly on its respective pair 22 of arms 23. The arms 23 are configured to receive the boats in an end-to-end array on the columns 17, 18 & 20, however in an alternative embodiment can be configured to receive the boats in a side-by-side array.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the pairs 22 of support arms 23 are vertically and/or horizontally adjustable on the columns 17, 18 & 20, to allow for a greater variation of the size of boats 10 to be stored in the facility.

[0036] The building 11 includes parallel rails on the floor 12. A plurality of wheels 26 are located at regular intervals on the underside of each base 27 of each movable column 20. The wheels are positioned on each base 27 such that each wheel corresponds to a rail on the floor 12 for rotatable movement thereon. The rails and wheels are configured to allow the movable columns 20 to be moved either towards fixed column 17 or fixed column 18, as desired.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the storage facility does not have a building constructed therearound, and the supporting structure can be in the form of a substantially horizontal floor located at, elevated from or recessed into adjacent surrounding ground by some distance, for example an asphalt or concrete pad or even a wharf or dock located adjacent a body of water. In the event that the movable and/or fixed column/s of such a storage facility are arranged in an open environment, in some embodiments an individual cover or roof may be placed over individual column/s to deflect rainwater, and doors, flaps or other protective closures can be fitted over the entry to each cell 24 as another way of preventing the ingress of dirt and water onto stored vehicles.

[0038] FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts. In this embodiment, each of columns 17, 18 and 20 also includes a plurality of vertical posts 28 and a plurality of parallel, horizontal planks 30 that are spaced apart vertically as well as laterally extending from and being supported on the vertical posts 28. It is the vertical elements 28 and horizontal planks 30 which define the interior space of each storage bay, which is in the form of a cell 24. The interior space of each cell 24 is typically 4 metres in height, 4 metres in width and 10.5 metres in length/depth, although these dimensions may be different depending on the size and type of boats to be stored.

[0039] Also, within one storage facility, the cells 24 may be of different dimensions, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, where the width and depth of the cells 24 in the movable columns 20 are smaller than the width and depth of the cells 24 in the fixed columns 17, 18. The vertical posts 28 and planks 30 may be made from any material suitable for load bearing support of the stored boats, for example, steel bars, strong timbers, extruded hard plastics and the like.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cells 24 of the fixed columns 17 and 18 have one bay access side 32 while the cells 24 of the movable columns 18 have two bay access sides 32. The access sides 32 are for insertion and removal of a boat 10 to and from a cell 22. However, given that there are no walls between horizontally adjoining cells 24, one cell 24 may be accessed from a horizontally adjoining cell 24 if required.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the columns 17, 18 and 20 can include additional horizontal supports each being positioned between two vertical posts 28, and under the planks 30, such that the planks 30 rest upon the additional horizontal supports to further strengthen the apparatus when heavy loads are placed thereon.

[0042] FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate another alternative embodiment of a storage facility, where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts. The main difference between the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 and the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 is that the latter embodiment includes support guides in the form of a pair of parallel guide rails 38. The guide rails 38 are positioned on the top surface of the plank 30 at the bottom of each cell 24, extending laterally with respect to the columns 17, 18 and 20. The guide rails 38 support a boat 10 in an upright position in its cell 24. This is particularly useful where the boat has a hull with a multi-planar shape. For example, the boat hull may be curved, or v-shaped in cross-section.

[0043] In use, the storage facility is typically commercially operated, and individual boat owners may have a lease-type contract with a commercial operator to store their boat in the storage facility when their boat is not in use. To store the boat in the facility, a boat owner asks the operator to have their boat placed in a storage cell 24. The operator then ensures a predetermined cell to be used is accessible by having the movable columns 20 moved toward an appropriate side of the building 11 to make a passageway 40 with access to a predetermined access side 32 of the cell. This movement is typically electronically and hydraulically controlled, though in alternative embodiments may be mechanically controlled.

[0044] The boat is then lifted from the water either by hand, if the boat is a small dinghy, or by conventional means, such as slung crane, gantry crane, etc. Once out of the water, the boat is placed into the predetermined cell-by conventional means, such as by forklift truck 42, etc. After the boat is stowed, the storage cell (and column of which the cell is a part) can be arranged in a position in which the column and the cells are in a close facing relationship with another column of storage cells. If the boat has been stowed in a movable column of storage cells, this can be accomplished by moving the entire column to be close to either a fixed column of storage cells, located at one end of the storage facility, or close to another movable column of storage cells. Alternatively if the boat has been stowed in a fixed column of storage cells, a movable column of such cells can be moved close to the fixed column. In either case the cells containing the stowed boat are inaccessible for retrieval of the boat until the relevant columns are moved in relation to one another out of their adjacent position.

[0045] In alternative embodiments, the storage facility may include only one, or more than two movable columns 20, or one or no fixed columns 17 or 18.

[0046] In other alternative embodiments, the storage facility is adapted to store other vehicles, such as automobiles, trailers, caravans, truck trailers and chassis, etc.

[0047] Now that preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the storage facility has at least the following advantages:

[0048] 1 it allows for more efficient use of space for storage of vehicles;

[0049] 2 it is useful at marinas, where in-water marina space and moorings are in limited supply; and

[0050] 3 it is useful for bulk storage of automobiles, such as for storage of automobiles by automobile manufacturers prior to delivery to sale yards and show rooms.

[0051] Although the invention has been described with reference to particular examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, it is adaptable for storage of various machinery, vehicle spare parts and machinery spare parts. 

1. A vehicle storage facility including: a support means; and a movable column having a plurality of storage bays for storage of a respective plurality of vehicles, wherein the column is horizontally movable on or at the support means relative to an adjacent multiplicity of storage bays.
 2. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a fixed column.
 3. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a second movable column.
 4. A storage facility according to claim 2 wherein the movable column storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows.
 5. A storage facility according to claim 2 wherein the fixed column storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows.
 6. A storage facility according to claim 1 including wheels attached to a base of the movable column/s to allow the horizontal movement of the column/s.
 7. A storage facility according to claim 6 including a plurality of parallel rail tracks disposed on a floor of the support means, wherein each wheel is located on the base such that they are rollable upon a corresponding track.
 8. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the column includes a central, upwardly extending frame, and a plurality of pairs of laterally extending substantially horizontal support arms, wherein the pairs are disposed at regular intervals, and each bay includes one said pair.
 9. A storage facility according to claim 8 wherein the disposition of each pair is adjustable.
 10. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein each storage bay includes a front access defined by a bay floor, a bay roof and adjacent bay walls disposed between the bay floor and bay roof.
 11. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein each storage bay is shaped as a rectangular prism.
 12. A storage facility according to claim 10 wherein at least one bay includes a support guide on its bay floor for supporting a boat in an upright position, where the boat has a hull with a multi-planar shape.
 13. A storage facility according to claim 12 wherein the support guide includes a pair of parallel guide rails.
 14. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the support means is a substantially horizontal floor located at, elevated from or recessed into adjacent surrounding ground.
 15. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the support means is a structure including sidewalls extending upwardly from a floor perimeter to define an open top and a roof upon the top, wherein at least one sidewall includes a door for access into the facility.
 16. A method of storing a vehicle in a storage facility including the step of placing a vehicle into a first storage bay in the storage facility and thereafter moving the first or another storage bay to a position in which the vehicle is not accessible for retrieval until the first or the other storage bay is moved out of the position.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein when in the position the first storage bay is in a close facing relationship with an adjacent storage bay.
 18. (Cancelled)
 19. (Cancelled) 